The fossil is named in the honour of Manu Dibango, a musician and singer from Cameroon, whose influence has resonated worldwide.
I have had the privilege of knowing Manu since my childhood, and felt a hommage would be fitting after he passed from covid in 2020.

This is how it has been drawn by the artist Margaux Boetsch!
It is based on modern larvae, like those of cusk-eels (below), that look similar with their external gut and bizarre, colourful ornaments!
Although the "boomerang shape" of Dibango is not heard of in any other fish, fossil of modern.

3/3

Blennies are some of my faves.
They are the perfect mix of goofy, kinda ugly and cute.

(Parablennius pilicornis - Lanzarote, Canary Islands)

For my first post here, I am very pleased to announce that this week I start a permanent position as assistant professor at Sorbonne Université, Paris!